Olori Atuwatse III Advocates for Greater Women’s Inclusion in Governance

The Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Her Royal Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, has called for greater inclusion of women in governance, urging key stakeholders to rewrite Nigeria’s leadership narrative to better reflect gender equity.

Speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition in Abuja, an event initiated by the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, in partnership with ElectHER, the Advocacy for Civic Engagement (ACE Centre), the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Olori Atuwatse III stressed that the nation’s progress is severely hindered when women are excluded from decision-making processes.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s history, the Olori questioned the minimization of women’s contributions to nation-building, citing the example of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. She noted that Ransome-Kuti’s legacy is often reduced to being the first woman to drive a car, rather than recognizing her as a trailblazing activist and advocate for human rights.

“Mrs. Ransome-Kuti didn’t just drive a car, she drove change,” the Olori declared. “Yet, our history books often reduce women’s roles to footnotes, and in doing so, we rob our daughters of powerful role models.”

The Olori emphasized that the erasure of female leadership in Nigeria has real, lasting consequences, reinforcing the false notion that governance is solely a male domain, when in fact women have always played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s destiny.

The Art for Governance Exhibition was designed to use art as a tool for advocacy and civic engagement, focusing on crucial issues like affirmative action, gender equity, and inclusive governance. The exhibition showcased art that highlighted the importance of female empowerment and the urgent need for reforms in governance structures to allow more women to participate in leadership.

Currently, women make up less than 5% of Nigeria’s National Assembly, with slightly better representation in ministerial roles at about 20%. According to Olori Atuwatse III, this is not only a fairness issue but a significant barrier to national development.

“Studies have shown that female legislators prioritize education, healthcare, and community infrastructure—all fundamental to sustainable development. When we exclude women from leadership, we are leaving money on the table. We are weakening our nation-building strategy,” she stated.

She also acknowledged the contributions of female leaders such as Hon. Orode Uduaghan, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services, and Girl Child Development in Delta State, but emphasized that more women are needed in governance at all levels.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who invited the Olori to the exhibition, reiterated the importance of advocating for legislative reforms that support women’s representation, particularly through the Special Seats Bill, which seeks to increase female participation in governance.

In his invitation, Kalu wrote, “Your presence at this distinguished gathering is invaluable as we engage with leaders from government, business, and the private sector to champion the cause of equitable governance.”

The exhibition was part of a broader push within the National Assembly to promote policies that eliminate barriers to women’s full participation in leadership. These policies include family-friendly workplace practices, zero tolerance for harassment, and gender bias.

Olori Atuwatse III urged women to increase their visibility and strive for leadership roles, ensuring that the next generation sees leadership as a birthright, not a privilege. She also called on men to act as active allies, supporting qualified women in leadership roles and dismantling systems that marginalize women from power.

“Dear men, we need you to challenge the biased systems that limit women’s opportunities. Support qualified women in your institutions. Advocate for policies that create pathways for women to lead,” she said.

The Olori highlighted the need for political parties to actively recruit and support female candidates and for leaders to appoint women in not only “women’s affairs” roles but across key sectors such as the economy, security, and governance.

In conclusion, she called for a new chapter in Nigeria’s democracy where women’s contributions to nation-building are not seen as exceptions but as expectations.

“Nigeria’s progress will be accelerated when we leverage our full strength,” she declared. “Let us commit to building a future where leadership reflects the diversity and potential of our entire nation.”